It's time for some New Year resolutions

In January, many people make New Years resolutions only to break them a few weeks later. However, that is not always the case. Last year, leaders of Tehachapi Heritage League made some resolutions to improve the Tehachapi Museum.

They began by arranging for repairs to the building and cleaning out storage areas. They improved the labeling of exhibits and planned new and rotating exhibits. THL leaders are well on the way to fulfilling their resolutions and their resolve continues through 2025.

One of the new exhibits is a display of purple glass. Through the centuries, glassmakers have tried to produce clear, colorless glass, but something happens when colorless glass containing manganese dioxide is exposed to rays of the sun. There is a thorough explanation of this phenomenon included with the exhibit.

Another recent exhibit is a collection of pencil sharpeners. There is an amazing number of those little hand-held pencil sharpeners which once were quite useful. Pencils were invented around the 15th to 16th century and people just whittled them with a knife. By the 1800s, literacy and education was becoming common and there was a need for a more efficient and cleaner method of sharpening pencils. Thus, a new invention flourished. The variety of shapes and sizes is quite amazing.

People in Tehachapi should resolve to visit the Museum, especially if they have never been there. They should resolve to visit again if they have not been there for some time. It is always an interesting experience to explore the Tehachapi Museum at 310 S. Green St. The historic Errea House is located at 311 S. Green St. It is one of the oldest houses in town with an interesting history. Both are open Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 4 p.m. See the website tehachapimuseum.org for more information.